PNG NRL bid can wait, Build pathways first: Melbourne Storm centre Olam
Papua New Guinea should focus on developing young talent instead of bidding to be the 18th National Rugby League (NRL) franchise, says Melbourne Storm centre Justin Olam. While Olam was excited about the possibility of
New Zealand Rugby League working on unique World Cup bid that includes Pacific Islands
New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) is in talks with the Government on a bid for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup, which will include co-hosting with Pacific Island nations, but not Australia. It would be a fully inclusive
PNG high on the cards for NRL expansion, says Australian rugby league boss
Australian Rugby League Commission boss Peter V’landys has revealed plans for an expanded National Rugby League competition by 2026 with Papua New Guinea at the “top of the list” to win the code’s coveted 18th
Olam is Tourism PNG Ambassador
Papua New Guinea rugby league icon and Australian NRL Melbourne Storms star centre Justin Olam is officially the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’ s tourism brand Ambassador. The formal announcement was made in the
A lasting legacy: Tui Kamikamica’s ultimate gift to family
To the untrained eye they are just hills, but to Tui Kamikamica they are the ticket to building generational wealth for his family. It’s here in the place the Storm front-rower was raised, on an island made up of
Cowboys sign PNG quartet
The Cowboys have signed four Papua New Guinea Orchids players ahead of their inaugural NRLW season with Essay Banu, Shellie Long, Jessikah Reeves and Sera Koroi all joining the club. Having all featured recently at the
PNG National Rugby League Competition rolls out five-year plan
The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) will introduce national competitions for women and Under-19s starting 2025 as part of its five-year strategic plan (2023-2027). The plan, headed by PNG
More Pacific NRL stars opt to play for their homelands
With this year’s National Rugby League (NRL) season now up and running, the prevalence of Pacific players in the tournament is again obvious to see. All NRL teams now feature stars with Pacific heritage –
PNG’s Wigmen named Melanesian Cup champs
Even winning the Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup twice in the season 2014 and 2020, the reigning champions Hela Wigmen described this year as ‘special’ for having the feel and taste of playing outside the country, actually
PNG Hunters overcome Kaiviti Silktails in first Melanesian Bowl
A second half hat-trick by front-rower Junior Rop underpinned the PNG Hunters’ strong 26-12 win over the Kaiviti Silktails to claim the inaugural Melanesian Bowl at Fiji’s Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka on Saturday. The
Tui Kamikamica inks new deal with Melbourne Storm
Fijian forward Tui Kamikamica has re-signed with the Melbourne Storm on a two-year deal until the end of 2025. The 17-Test veteran has played 71 NRL games for the Storm since making his debut in 2017.
Tonga star supports Test series against England
Tonga and St Helens star Konrad Hurrell has thrown his support behind Kristian Woolf’s side putting their hands up to play England in a Test series to continue the growth of the two nations. England’s plans
Toa Samoa: One for the history books
So close and yet so far. That was what it came down to as the Toa Samoa valiantly fought the Australia Kangaroos in a 30 – 10 Rugby League World Cup grand final slugfest at the legendary Old Trafford Stadium this
‘We have changed the game globally’: Samoa stars push for more Tests
Samoan players have pledged to keep playing for the Pacific nation and they may be joined by more stars after changing the face of the international game by qualifying for the World Cup final. After shocking Tonga and
‘For my people’: The inspiration behind Samoa’s World Cup win
“For my people”. Those three words written on Stephen Crichton’s wrist tape were the inspiration for his World Cup semi-final heroics, which included a rehearsed field goal ploy that earned Samoa an historic place
‘Tears in our eyes’: Inside Samoa’s shot at history
“You’ve just made history, boys!” Samoan players were in tears after their 20-18 defeat of Tonga as coach Matt Parish told them that they were the first team from the Pacific nation to qualify for a World Cup
Samoa and Fiji secure big wins at RLWC 2022
Samoa and Fiji have secured big wins against their Mediterranean opponents at the Rugby League World Cup 2022 in England. Premiership-winning Panthers Jarome Luai and Brian To’o carved Greece to bits as Samoa
Matches at home to boost PNG rugby league bid
Papua New Guinea National Rugby League (NRL) Bid 2025 chief executive Andrew Hill says more SP Hunters home games at the National Football Stadium will help the country’s cause. He said after the Hunters’ 30-28
PNG to likely join NRL by 2025: Hill
Australia’s Foreign Ministry is working with PNG Sports executives to get the NRL bid up and running. Australia’s Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong said this when appearing at NBC National Radio. She said
Opinion: Don’t blame Pacific Island cultures for queer fear, blame colonisation
Six of the seven players who refused to wear the Manly Sea Eagles rainbow jersey in their match on Thursday night are from a Pasifika heritage. I’ve been working alongside wellbeing and education with the NRL since
Mate Ma’a Tonga stacked for the Pacific Test Series
Tonga Rugby League coach Kristian Woolf named a 25-man squad to play against the New Zealand Kiwis ahead of the June 25 Test in Auckland. The team will feature the likes of hard running forwards Jason Taumalolo, Addin
Rugby League star Justin Olam re-commits with Storm
Papua New Guinea international Justin Olam has extended his contract with renowned NRL club, theMelbourne Storm. The re-signing is for the next 4 years, keeping him in Melbourne until at least the end of the 2026
The next NRL team should come from Papua New Guinea
For all the focus in the Australian media on recent developments throughout the Pacific, it’s strange that the potential addition of a Papua New Guinea team to the Australian National Rugby League appears to have
